Featured Image Credit: Viaplay/TNT
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Andre Onana, VAR
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Andre Onana, VAR
The captain of Bodo/Glimt has spoken out to reveal what the referee said to him about Andre Onana's 'handball' during the Europa League match.
On Thursday, new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim took charge of his first match at Old Trafford in a Europa League clash against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.
As was the case against Ipswich Town last weekend, United took an early lead but were forced to come back to win 3-2 after the visitors hit back shortly after the opening goal.
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But after a controversial moment that saw travelling fans demanding a red card for United keeper Onana, Bodo/Glimt's captain has revealed exactly what the referee told him about the incident.
Just minutes before the end of the match, Onana was forced to make a tackle to regain possession at the edge of the United box and replays of the incident appeared to show the ball coming off of the Cameroonian's hand.
However, after a VAR check the goalkeeper escaped what would have been a straight red card for handling the ball outside of his box.
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Speaking after the game, Bodo/Glimt captain Patrick Berg was asked what the referee said to him to explain the decision not to show a red card.
“I feel Jens [Petter Hauge] tries to drag the ball past Onana and then it hits his hand," Berg told NRK, via United In Focus.
“He [referee] explains that there is a rule that states that the ball can hit the hand if it is on the ground as a support, then it does not matter.”
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Teammate Hakon Evjen also gave his thoughts on the incident, adding: “It looked like he takes it with his hand now and then, whether there is support or not. It is an open target for Jens at 20 metres, so it is at least debatable.”
The result takes United to 12th out of 36 teams in the Europa League as it marks their second successive win in the competition coming off of three back-to-back draws.
It leaves them just one point behind the top eight teams that automatically progress to the next round, while Bodo/Glimt are now only two points ehad of the twelve teams who will be eliminated at the end of the group stage.